Probable cause
The student pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing.
NTSB analysis
According to the student pilot, the airplane started to drift to the right as he approached to land, at which time he corrected with left rudder. The student pilot stated, "As the plane touched down it entered a left turn and continued for 270 degrees before coming to a stop just off the runway." A postaccident examination revealed that the right wing had sustained substantial damage as a result of impact with terrain. The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane at the time of the accident.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR10CA030 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 24, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Chandler, Arizona
- Nearest airport
- Chandler Municipal Airport (CHD)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA18
- N-number
- N83281
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.